The Bears and Caleb Williams introduced hope again to Chicago followers this preseason

In the end the NFL preseason is formally over. We did it.

In some methods it feels prefer it all glided by in a flash, however in others it looks like we’re lastly on the opposite facet of the sludge like Andy Dufresne. Regardless of the case, an important reality is that the subsequent NFL sport we see will matter in full totality.

Because the mud has settled on the preseason although, what had been our largest takeaways from all of it? Who stood out? What do we predict now that we didn’t earlier than all of it started?

That’s precisely what we’re right here to debate. We being us, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa.

Welcome to the newest version of The Skinny Publish.

Prime participant from the preseason

RJ:

This can be a time of yr the place optimism and hope reign supreme throughout each single NFL group and that’s much more true with regards to squads with model new quarterbacks.

Final week right here within the Skinny Publish I famous a vote of confidence in Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix. I’m right here as soon as once more to champion his trigger as a result of regardless that the Broncos are attempting approach too arduous to persuade us that this was the best-case state of affairs all alongside… it looks like they’ve discovered themselves able of verifiable legitimacy.

I’m not going to take a seat right here and say that I believe Denver is headed to the playoffs or something, however this can be a group that has largely been an abject failure for a decade.

We’re a lot nearer to the daybreak right here. Good for them and for Nix particularly.

Michael:

I’m going to offer a shout to Vikings vast receiver Trishton Jackson for a powerful preseason from begin to end. The 26-year-old is pushing for enjoying time behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison this yr and placing up a rating in each sport whereas ending the month with the fourth-most receiving yards within the league and most landing grabs this preseason isn’t a nasty argument for extra snaps.

His largest competitors to being the group’s WR3 proper now’s fellow third-year participant Jalen Nailor. Nailor had simply three receptions in 2023 to Jackson’s two. Because it stands, each are proper there within the competitors however so far as what we’ve seen on the sector, Jackson appears to have the within monitor after a big-time exhibiting in August.

Prime second from the preseason

RJ:

I’m going to cheat and go along with one thing that occurred as we had been in the midst of doing this… CeeDee Lamb acquired paid by the Dallas Cowboys.

Did it take approach longer than it needed to? Completely. No query about it.

Is it unlucky that Lamb missed all of coaching camp? I’d say so!

However it’s over and now we will shift our consideration to the group caring for Dak Prescott in order that I can have some semblance of peace and focus solely on soccer as soon as once more.

Michael:

I believe the second that stands out to me essentially the most is when the nation acquired their first take a look at first general choose Caleb Williams within the Bears’ second preseason sport towards the Bengals. Particularly, that large play the place Williams scrambled to his left after doing a near-360 within the pocket earlier than lofting an ideal cross to fellow first-rounder and rookie wideout Rome Odunze up the sideline. It was a 45-yard achieve that might have simply went for a sack or an incompletion however Williams put it proper within the breadbasket.

I imply, that second was the encapsulation of all the pieces the Bears have wished and wanted in a quarterback for therefore very lengthy. Your entire 2024 season flashed via the fanbase’s eyes that day. Every one among them in all probability noticed the headlines of “Caleb Williams MVP!” and “Bears are Tremendous Bowl Champions!” streak throughout the sky. I’m not going to be the one to inform them to chill out, although. Let’s allow them to have their hope.

Additionally, this Odunze man goes to be a dude on this league and I’m extremely jealous that the Bears acquired him to develop alongside Williams for the foreseeable future.

Prime group from the preseason

Michael:

I believe I’ve to stay with the Bears for this one. They’re one among solely two groups that performed 4 video games this preseason, and so they completed with an undefeated file whereas dominating their opponents in three of their matchups. After beating the Texans within the Corridor of Fame Recreation by a rating of 21-17, they went on to win the subsequent three video games by 27, 24, and 13 factors, respectively.

Are the Bears going to be legitimately good in 2024? The preseason clearly means nothing within the grand scheme of issues and I imagine no eventual Tremendous Bowl winner has ever gone undefeated within the preseason, however that doesn’t imply they will’t have an incredible yr that turns into one thing to construct on for 2025 and past. They’ve acquired a powerful set of offensive talent gamers round Williams and a few notable constructing blocks on protection, particularly cornerback Jaylen Johnson, who was prolonged earlier this offseason.

If Eberflus does the work and places his gamers in the most effective place for achievement as a rule this yr, I believe they’ve a shot at a division crown. However the NFC North is a really aggressive division and even with how good the Lions have been, I imagine any of the 4 groups might finally come out on high this season.

RJ:

Is it bizarre if I am going with the Atlanta Falcons? It type of looks like Bijan Robinson is hiding in plain sight and I do know that the Kirk Cousins stuff is enjoyable to make enjoyable of and all of that jazz, however how is Atlanta’s offense not going to be actually good-to-maybe even nice this yr?

A part of my reply is predicated round the truth that the NFC South seems simply as dangerous as ever. It’s completely potential in my thoughts that Atlanta walks over a simple division and is again within the playoffs. Would this be the primary playoff sport of theirs in that constructing? I believe so!

Let’s see it occur.